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Wire Jewelry

Every once in a while, I find a couple of beading supplies on my desk or work table that just sort of look like they go together. That was the case last week when I saw these copper branches from Ezel Findings sitting next to a lampwork glass bead from Evolving Creations Lampwork . A leftover piece of...

I'll admit it: I'm about as frugal as it gets. When I spend money, I want it to go a long way. For that reason, I find myself mainly buying accessories and clothes that I know I can mix-and-match to create many different styles or to be worn in more ways than one! And why not? With the money...

As I write this, the weather here in upstate New York is pretty frightful -- lots of swirling snow, freezing rain, sleet, and high winds. But I'm tucked away in front of the wood stove with a snack and some holiday music, and I'm working on a quick and easy beaded earring project for the holidays...

We had our first hint of snow here in Northern Colorado yesterday, and most of us in the Interweave office exclaimed a collective “Noooo!” Luckily the snow didn’t stick, and we’re heading back into unseasonably warm weather again later this week. But I can’t help thinking...

Last week I found myself having one of those days where I was itching to do something creative. I started flipping through my copy of Melinda Barta's Custom Cool Jewelry , looking for a project that could scratch this itch. Well, it didn't take long to find many components whose pages I have...

Beaded brooches are probably the very last type of beaded jewelry that I think of designing when I sit down to make a new piece, right there under "bolo ties" and "cuff links". But when I came across this blog from Jean Campbell with 5 ways to wear a beaded brooch , I started thinking...

The other day as I was rummaging through my pile o' jewelry looking for a pair of earrings, my first thought was, "I don't have enough earrings." It's probably true -- when I sit down to make a piece of jewelry, earrings are usually not the first thing I think of designing. Sure...

My first trip to the Tucson gem and mineral shows back in 2012 was such a life-changing experience! Being surrounded by all those beads, the artists, and the energy of the place had me buzzing with creative ideas for weeks after I got home. One of the highlights of that trip was when I got to meet my...

Thanks to beaders like those of you reading this (no, really -- thank you!), bead-weaving and jewelry making have evolved and been accepted by a much wider audience as fine bead crafts. Look at the artists showing their work in any high-end craft show, and you'll find a healthy selection of artists...

Of all the creative arts, jewelry making is the one that has always held a special place in my heart. It's not just about making great handmade jewelry out of beads and other jewelry supplies, it's about creating something that's unique and expresses your own personal artistic vision. Jewelry...

Beki Haley, owner of WhimBeads and one of my favorite seed bead pushers, er, sellers, created these beautiful Wild Rose Earrings using some of the new shaped glass beads from Starman. Beki is one of Starman's 2014 TrendSetters, whipping up fantastic glass bead projects using some of the new shapes...

These days, when I'm not beading, thinking about how to bead, or cleaning up and organizing my bead stash, you're most likely to find me on my yoga mat. Next month, I'll be finishing a 6-month 200-hour yoga teacher training program at a local yoga studio where my small class of five budding...

Ready to try your hand at some basic beaded kumihimo braids? Just like my other favorite beading techniques, kumihimo can be done with an incredible variety of materials. Before you sit down to undertake your first beaded kumihimo project, make sure you have a few basic supplies handy for a successful...

When beaders say that peyote stitch projects are great for beginners and a favorite among beadweavers, I have to say that I heartily agree. Peyote is the stitch that I started with when I began my first beadstitching project last January, and although I’ve experimented with herringbone and brick...

Just like every other beader I know, I was thinking about why I love earring making so much during the long drive to pick up my son from kindergarten the other day. Because, really, for so many years as a bead artist, I struggled to make intricate, elaborate beaded earrings. It was so hard for me to...